Obligatory medical device diagnostics.
- Radiographic examination of the affected joint, in two planes.
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnosis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; computer-assisted cross-sectional imaging (using magnetic fields, that is, without X-rays)) – for further diagnosis.
- Multiphase skeletal scintigraphy (procedure of nuclear medicine, which is a special recording technique of scintigraphy, which can precisely show functional changes in the skeletal system) – early stages of disease of osteomyelitis (bone marrow inflammation) can be detected earlier with skeletal scintigraphy in contrast to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
- Leukocyte scintigraphy (nuclear medicine procedure in which accumulations of radioactively labeled leukocytes (white blood cells), for example, in inflammatory foci can be displayed) – V. a. acute/chronic osteomyelitis.
- Joint puncture and aspiration, ultrasound-assisted – In hemarthrosis (disease of a joint due to repeated and persistent hemorrhage).
- Arthroscopy (arthroscopy) – e.g., for suspected free joint bodies, meniscus lesion, injury to the cruciate ligament.